busy, busy, busy

Years ago, I took a college course called, Managing Your Time.  Apparently, I was a dismal failure.  Why? I still can’t get more than 168 hours out of a week.  I’ve learned how to save money, I’ve learned how to save paper, but for some reason I can’t save time.

I wonder why that is. . .maybe it is because God planned it that way, gave me the plan, and I just haven’t learned how to follow His plan, yet.  The Bible clearly teaches us to work hard [I’m not going to give you chapter and verse.  If you don’t know where that is taught in Scripture, get your Bible out and read it!}.  The Bible teaches us how to save stuff.  The Bible also tells us to rest.  Ah! Maybe that’s where my problem is.

I’m kind of a busy guy. I study the Bible every day. . .hint, hint. . .I listen to what it says and I talk to God about it.  In case you don’t know, and I’m not trying to be coy here, that’s called a quiet time.  I highly recommend it.  Getting-up-time for me is about 4 AM every weekday morning.  One of the many joys of my life is driving school buses in my county.  Being around kids of all ages cooped up in a big yellow school bus comes with its challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for just about anything; except maybe a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

I spend a good part of my week studying to preach.  After 22 years in the same pulpit, staying fresh is a challenge, another challenge I love.  BTW, the Bible never runs out of new things to say to your spirit.  If you’re not getting fresh insight every day. . .the problem is not the Bible.

I hang out with my wife of 40 years, too.  There is no one in the world I’d rather be with–even if she’s laying on the couch and I’m snoring in my recliner.  I do yard work–lots of flower beds to keep clean and 2 acres to keep mowed and trimmed, not to mention being the resident “pool boy.”

And then there is the new love of my life, South American Missions!!! If you have read this blog at all, you know I’m crazy about missions.  God has given me a heart for the world, especially South America and more particularly, Peru.  New friends, new adventures, new challenges. . .what a way to spend time.

Oh yeah, then there is estudiando Espanoles, studying Spanish.  Someone in the registrars office forgot to tell me that the “accelerated class” was going to run at warp speed.  I’ve got this young teacher who assumes way too much on my behalf.  I might look brilliant, but well. . .

I also like to keep my cars clean, witness to people, and watch Perry Mason.  And did I mention planning those mission excursions.  Wow!  Busy, busy, busy.

God has given me, and you, exactly 24 hours in each day to do what needs to be done.  The key word in that sentence is probably needs.  Of course it is.  And what I need to do is rest more.  I’m trying.  Most nights, I beat the chickens to bed ’cause I gotta get up at 4.  And as sure as I don’t get to bed on time, I’m going to get behind in my rest, my work, my passions, and then. . .well, then I don’t do a very good job at anything.  What’s the moral of this story. . .

Busy, busy, busy . . . rest, rest, rest.  You need it, I need it, your kids need it, and God built us to get it.